During the course of the season, like many of you, I noticed our team had shifted numerous times both offensively and defensively. Not only did our formations change, but our scheme, our game-plans, our plays, who started, who was injured, etc. Symbolic of the Presidential race, our team seemed to be in flux and a major change was occurring and even more change was destined (allegedly). When I decided to put these statistics together and analyze how there was a shift from week to week on all sides of the ball - the team had direction. We all knew months before the regular season began that this was going to be a rough year defensively but a good year offensively; maybe we didn't know just how bad our defense would be or how good our offense would be - but we had an inkling.

via web1.denverbroncos.com

My point is that there was direction. We knew what Shanahan was doing and what would happen this year in the rebuilding season - defense, defense, defense. However, we didn't know that our team was going through as much change as it did as Shanahan was shortly fired and a new leader was installed. Is our offense set? Will McDaniels call the same type of plays that Bates did? What about the offensive scheme - before we didn't need a stellar running back; just someone to pick up 3 or 4 yards and come up with 100 yard games and keep the defense's honest. With McDaniels, will we suddenly need a stud running back that we have to invest a high draft pick into?

What about defensively; we now have more questions about the defense then we did before. We do know that it can't get much worse than it was in 2008 and while there seems to be a buzz about switching to a 3-4, will that really be what we do? What kind of a 3-4 will we run if we do switch? What about personnel? Studs like D.J. Williams were considered a shoe-in to make the team in 2009, if nothing more than the drama we've put him through; but what about now? Does D.J. really fit into a 3-4? Everyone is clamoring for Elvis Dumervil and Jarvis Moss to be moved to OLB in our 3-4 which would indicate that everyone wants a blitz heavy 3-4 defense; will this happen?

By analyzing this shift that our team went through this year; we have as much information as our new coaches do. What decisions they decide to make are up to them; however we will be just as informed as them. It's easy to be an armchair quarterback and talk about what the Bronco's should have done during the year; now we are no longer armchair quarterbacks. We are the individuals who are just as informed as our new coaches and our opinions and decisions are as informed as theirs.

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When you go through and look at defensive stats, there are all kinds of interesting things to look at that tell a defensive story.  However, trying to understand that defensive story can be like trying to read it in Mandarin Chinese.  Is a high number of passes defensed good or bad?  If it's high, does that mean that the defensive player is not very good and offenses are picking on that player?  If it's low does it mean that the defensive player is so bad that he can't defend any passes or does it mean that offenses just don't throw his way? 

What about QH (Quarterback Hits); does a high number of QH and a low number of sacks mean that the player does not get there quite fast enough and therefore a slow player?  Or is it more of, "well at least he did get there, albeit it wasn't fast enough..."?  Finally what about assisted tackles?  Are assists something you want to see a lot of, or not a lot of?  Or does it matter based on position; would you rather see your DL with assists and your LB's without assists or the other way around?

Find out after the bump...

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Before you read this, please read the disclaimer below:

• 1. This is not a post that will look into stats and figure out what Jay Cutler's Yards-Per-Pass has to do with the price of rice in China.
• 2. This is not a post to talk about how Denver has lost their home field advantage.
• 3. This is not a post calling for the overthrow of yet another defensive coordinator.
• 4. This is not a post talking about Denver's inconsistency.
• 5. This is not a post talking about the highs and lows of yesterday's spanking.
• 6. This is a post about you getting pumped for the Denver Broncos.
• 7. This is a post that after reading you should feel like you just slammed a pot of super-concentrated caffeinated coffee spiked with an illegal substance.
• 8. This is a post that will make you want to ball up your fists, pump them in the air, and let roar a baritone, manly, and Denver loving, "YAAAA!"
• 9. This is a post that should make you steeple your fingers together and laugh evilly as you think about playing San Diego, Kansas City and Oakland twice a year.

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Editor's Note -- I added the poll, and the photo, to Nick's post because I have been wanting to discuss this as well an feel there is no need to re-invent the wheel.  Great job, Nick! -- TSG

There has been a lot of clamoring about Denver's inability to win at home.  What the heck happened to home field advantage?!  Has Shanahan lost his touch?  Is the new Mile High stadium not as good as the old Mile High?  Does the mile high altitude really make a difference? Do the fans just not care as much?  After looking at some statistics, there are some things that will not only surprise you about our home field advantage but hopefully will put this home field advantage debate to rest.

The lack of noise at Invesco Field has more to do with engineering than passionate fans

via www.geoeye.com

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The Denver defense and offense is coming full circle - they are finally accomplishing the things that most of us predicted they would after the bye week.  I took the liberty of crunching some numbers and posting them and will provide my opinion on their breakdown because commentators are useless.  Unless they have their media guides in front of them and have their month old talking point, the commentators are about useless.  To be honest, I'm tired of hearing about the horrible, horrific, terrible, ugly, and terrible defense that Denver has; when in fact there has been a vast improvement in the last 3 games.

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Tony Scheffler was born February 15th, 1983.  In his 3rd year with the Broncos after being drafted out of Western Michigan University in the 2nd round (61st overall); Scheffler has become a crucial aspect of Jay Cutler's development and success - when he is healthy.

There is no question that Scheffler is a receiving tight end and poses matchup problems for defenses.  As part of the powerhouse 2006 draft class for the Denver Broncos, Scheffler leads all Tight Ends picked ahead of him in all receiving statistics but receptions:

Vernon Davis - 88 Receptions / 970 yards / 11 yards-per-catch / 7 TD

Marcedes Lewis - 71 receptions / 804 yards / 11.3 yards-per-catch / 3 TD

Joe Klopfenstein - 26 receptions / 284 yards / 6.9 yards-per-catch / 2 TD

Anthony Fasano - 50 receptions / 574 yards / 11.5 yards-per-catch / 4 TD

Tony Scheffler - 87 receptions / 1186 yards / 13.6 yards-per-catch / 11 TD

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**Hat Tip to NickT84 for this post.  Each Week I will promote a couple FanPosts to the Front Page that deal with the previous game.  Congrats to NickT who is the first 'winner'! -- TSG

I don't know about the rest of you but I was delighted about Denver's loss to Miami.  I was not necessarily happy about the loss (although it wasn't all bad and I will get to that later) but I was thrilled about the things that I did see during the game.

Seconds before the game begun, I was jumping up and down cheering.  Why?  Because Eddie Royal was back returning the kick.  Finally let's let this kid do what we got him to do!  And a mere minutes after his first return, we saw the reason we drafted him.  2 plays later, touchdown.  We could be playing with Oakland's offense yesterday and have scored a touchdown with that kind of field position.  That has to be one of the most overlooked things in football right now is the benefit of field position.  Look at some of the best teams right now and look at the special teams.  Special teams used to be just depth and backups - I am starting to see a transition to solid players being drafted to make an impact on special teams.  With Royal, we have solid foundation for the next several years.  Field position is crucial and with our offense only having to go 70 or 65 yards rather than 80+ will make a hell of a difference.

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I've been trolling MHR for awhile now and recently just started to participate in the community.  One of the things that I have noticed is that the community makes MHR great just as much as the staff of MHR.  I have learned, experienced, and learned as much from the staff (TheSportsGuru, hoosierteacher, styg50, Zappa, and mdierk) as much as I have from other member's FanPosts.

With that being said, I plan on trying to contribute as others have contributed.  These are some of the bye week(s) articles on the Denver Broncos.

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